Ohio State, Michigan almost go 1-2 in USA Today’s 1-128 rankings

At least that is what’s happening as the Buckeyes and Wolverines sit near the top of the polls and hope to meet still undefeated in late November. USA Today is certainly all-in on the two as well, as it ranked the pair in two of its first three spots on its 1-128 re-rank.

Ohio State ranked No. 1 while Michigan came in No. 3. Alabama was in between the two.

But, of course, there’s more to the Big Ten than only those two. Here’s where USA Today ranks the rest of the league’s teams:

No. 8 Wisconsin (up 2)

No. 12 Nebraska (up 2)

No. 41 Penn State (up 7)

No. 43 Iowa (down 1)

No. 53 Indiana (up 2)

No. 56 Michigan State (down 22)

No. 58 Northwestern (up 5)

No. 61 Minnesota (down 2)

No. 70 Maryland (–)

No. 95 Purdue (up 13)

No. 108 Rutgers (down 15)

No. 109 Illinois (down 17)

These rankings hold some interesting thoughts. First, Penn State’s spot as the highest-positioned Big Ten team outside the Top 25 means the Nittany Lions are the conference’s best bet to return to the national rankings — at least right now. There’s still some work to do, but an impressive performance Oct. 22 against the Buckeyes would do wonders.

But it is also interesting to note Nebraska’s spot. The Huskers are in the Top 10 in both the AP and Coaches Poll, but in this they’re ranked behind a MAC school in unbeaten Western Michigan.